Proper infra a problem to translate Portuguese laws: Khalap
PTI, PANAJI | 21 December 2010 18:43 IST
Even after 50 years of liberation, Goa is still finding it difficult to get Portuguese laws translated into English due to lack of infrastructure, says State Law Commission.
Goa Law Commission chairman Ramakant Khalap said that lack of infrastructure and expertise has kept on hold state's plans to translate these century-old laws into English.
The state, a former Portugal colony for 450 years, has many of its main laws in Portuguese.
This year, Goa is celebrating its golden jubilee of liberation from Portuguese colonisation.
Khalap said he had single-handedly tried to translate these laws into English but could not meet success.
"I have asked my friends to provide us (government) a translator who can be authentic," the former Union minister said.
He said mere translations will not work as they are bound to be challenged in the court by anyone.
"The only option left to break this imbroglio is to adopt new framework of laws through our Legislative Assembly," Khalap said adding that the Law Commission is trying to study the issue in detail.
To avoid any problems of interpretations in a court of law, intent and purpose of these laws and getting a parallel new legislation along those lines, would make sense to pass up good laws.
Already, the Portuguese Civil Code is acclaimed as a unique uniform civil code.